interviews are not possible, the commission/mission needs to take this into account in assessing the information so received and using it in its conclusions. Interviewees must be informed about the commission’s/mission’s mandate, the purpose of the interview and what measures will be taken to ensure the confidentiality of their identity and the information they provide. Interviewers should also enquire about security concerns that the interviewees may have, without raising expectations of protection beyond the commission’s/mission’s capacity. At the outset, the interviewer should seek permission to take notes and, if deemed appropriate and secure, to use an audio recorder to record the interview. Audio recording increases the accuracy of the report of the testimony, especially if interpretation is required, including for possible use in future criminal proceedings. However, it requires the consent of the interviewee, and may expose him/her to heightened security risks, which need to be carefully weighed. The interviewer obtains the full personal details of the interviewee, as well as contact information and how the interviewee would prefer to be contacted for any follow-up (for example, by mobile phone or through an intermediary). It is good practice to start by allowing interviewees to narrate their experiences in their own words. This helps to establish confidence in the interviewer. Openended questions allow interviewees to provide information without suggesting an expected answer. Based on the initial account, more specific questions can then be asked to clarify or verify information. It is important for investigators to ask how interviewees came to know about the facts narrated to establish whether interviewees are relaying a story they heard from someone else or are describing what they personally experienced. Questions can be asked to probe inconsistencies, in a respectful, non-challenging and sensitive manner. Asking the same question in different ways may help investigators to see the facts from different perspectives and assess the veracity of the entire story. Investigators rarely have a second opportunity to interview the same victims or witnesses and should therefore ensure that they have as complete a picture as possible. Sketches, photographs and props can help interviewees to provide a clearer account of what they experienced or observed, or correctly identify the location of an incident during a site visit. The interviewer may ask for any corroboratory information such as medical reports, photographs, video materials or official documents. As a general rule, investigators do not take originals but make copies, scan or photograph documents. The interviewer should also ask if anyone else was present, saw, heard or experienced the same situation as the interviewee and obtain the names and contact details of these persons. GUIDANCE AND PRACTICE 51